Decision tools · Compare
G3 vs G9
Quick take: The G9 has the highest resolution at 20MP; the G3 is the most affordable; only the G9 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
G9 — Wildlife, Sports, Travel: The G9 showed that Micro Four Thirds could compete for fast-action stills.
Who should buy what
G9 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Wildlife photographers who want fast burst and long telephoto reach at lower cost
- MFT system users who prioritise stills over video
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | G3Lumix · 2011 | G9Lumix · 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £20 usedBest | £999 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 20.3MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080/60i | 4K 60fps, C4K 24fps |
| Autofocus | 23-area contrast AF with face detection, touch AF | 225-point contrast-detect DFD |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS) |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronicBest |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | 400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 388g (with battery)Best | 658g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 115.2 × 83.6 × 46.7mm | 136.9 × 97.3 × 91.6mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | LCD EVF, 1.44M dots | EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 460k dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | 2× SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 2.5mm remote | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C, HDMI full-size |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
G3
G9
Portrait
4.7/10
5.5/10
Street
5.8/10
5.3/10
Travel
5.2/10
5.2/10
Wedding & Events
3.2/10
5.5/10
Vlogging & Video
3.6/10
5.1/10
Documentary
3.0/10
5.7/10
Sports & Action
4.0/10
6.2/10
Landscape
3.9/10
5.6/10
Wildlife
4.8/10
6.5/10
Casual
4.1/10
4.8/10
Food
5.4/10
6.1/10
Macro
4.7/10
7.4/10
Architecture
4.4/10
5.8/10
Astrophotography
3.8/10
5.0/10
Filmmaking
—
5.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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